Vinyl pressings
by John Miles · 1978
Zaragon was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 19 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
1-ARE 1 MASTERDISK RL ZAL-15569-5 11Runout side A, variant 1
2B-RE 1 ZAL-15570-5 1Runout side B, variant 1
1-ARE 1 MASTERDISK RL ZAL-15569-5 VRunout side A, variant 2
2B-RE ZAL-15570-5 UD 2DRunout side B, variant 2
ZAL-15569.P-7C 1 C 11Runout side A, stamped variant 1
ZAL-15570.P-6C 1 DRunout side B, stamped variant 1
ZAL-15569.P-6C IB 2BRunout side A, stamped variant 2
ZAL-15570.P-6C NU 1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
T1 AB-4176-S/A-9 MASTERDISKSide 1 Etched Masterdisk Stamped
AB-4176-S/B-1 JG MASTERDISK B S2 SXTSide 1 Etched Masterdisk Stamped
T1 AB-4176-S/A-9 MASTERDISK C1Side 1 Etched Masterdisk Stamp, Variation 2
AB-4176-S/B-1 SX+ WG MASTERDISK B8Side 2 Etched Masterdisk Stamp, Variation 2
AB-4176-S/A-5 Masterdisk J.G.Side A runout
AB-4176-S/B-5 J.G. MasterdiskSide B runout
AB 4176 SASide A label
AB 4176 SBSide B label
77 AB-4176-S/A-12 MASTERDISKVariant 1: A-Side etch, exc "MASTERDISK
77 AB-4176-S/B-12 MASTERDISKVariant 1: B-Side etch, exc "MASTERDISK
1S AB-4176-S/A-1 [MASTERDISK] WG C 5Side A runout, etched [stamped], Variant 1
1S AB-4176-S/B-3 JG [MASTERDISK] A 1Side B runout, etched [stamped], Variant 1
T/ AB-4176-S/A-9 [MASTERDISK] CSide A runout, etched [stamped], Variant 2
1S AB-4176-S/B-3 SXT JG [MASTERDISK] D 1Side B runout, etched [stamped], Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | London Records 8586First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Decca TXS-126 / Decca TXS.126First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | Decca 143.016First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Brazil | London Records 31C 064 60943First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Arista AB 4176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Decca 170.009 / Decca 170.009 BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Decca 6.23423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Decca SGLK 049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Decca TXSI 126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Decca TXSI 126First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | London Records GP-1096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Mexico | Peerless MS 2047 / London Records MS 2047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Decca TXS-R 126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Decca PPTXSR-126First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Decca TXS-R 126 / Decca TXS R 126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Zaragon are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Decca TXS-R 126.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TXS-R 126, AB 4176, 8586, TXS-126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-ARE 1 MASTERDISK RL ZAL-15569-5 11 and 2B-RE 1 ZAL-15570-5 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
